Electoral Training Project Final Report, November 1997

Publication Type:

USAID asked IFES to provide assistance in the area of electoral training to the Honduran Tribunal Nacional de Elecciones (TNE, National Elections Tribunal) and to give a sub-contract to the Instituto Internacional de Derechos Humano/Centro de Asesoria y Promocion Electoral (IIDH/CAPEL). Under its subcontract, CAPEL was to provide technical assistance to the TNE in executing the electoral calendar and developing a logistics plan for the transmission of election results.

At the request of the TNE, IFES developed curricula materials and provided training to key staff members of the TNE and to pollworkers. IFES implemented a "cascade" training methodology in order to reach a maximum audience with limited resources.

The other area of technical assistance requested by the TNE was in implementing the different activities in the electoral calendar and in developing a logistics plan for the transmission of election results. IIDH\CAPEL was scheduled to provide technical assistance in this key area of the electoral process. However, four weeks prior to the elections, CAPEL turned down the proposed sub-contract because of what it saw as political and administrative constraints within the TNE on its ability to perform the planned scope of work. IFES immediately held discussions with all of the TNE Magistrates to develop an alternative plan.

At the request of the TNE, IFES sent a consultant, Dr. Jorge Tirado, to conduct a needs assessment with respect to the transmission of election results. Dr. Tirado made two additional trips to provide technical assistance to the TNE in developing a logistics plan and in conducting three trial runs of the transmission of election results. During the November 30, 1998, elections, the counting, tabulation, and reporting of votes were carried out accurately and transparently, according to independent monitors.

This final program report will cover all of IFES's activities in support of the Honduran electoral process.